The sweet orange constitutes one of the world's most popular and recognizable fruit crops. Sweet oranges are citrus fruits (Citrus spp.), which are regarded as high sources of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and other fruit acids.

Today, oranges are primarily eaten fresh or prepared as frozen juice concentrate. The byproducts of juice making (the pulp, rind and seed) are utilized for cattle feed and molasses (for alcohol or feed) as well as flavorings, perfumes, pharmaceuticals and soap. The extracts of rinds and seeds include pectin and oil. When fermented, orange juices produce vinegar and liqueurs.